My eyes slowly flutter open, adjusting to the sunlight that spills through the spaces between the windows and boards placed in their way. I stretch my arms over my head and attempt to do the same with my legs until the feel of fingers tightening around my ankle startles me. I freeze, not wanting to move another muscle. I carefully peer over my blanket—that I swear I didn't have last night—to see Jax sleeping on the other end. He looks almost angelic with the way the sun shines across his face. His lips are parted slightly while he breathes evenly.

I didn't even mean to fall asleep. It just felt incredible to lie down and have someone else take care of me for once. I think in the years I spent with Trevor, he never once laid a finger anywhere near my feet. The way Jax was so eager to help me like that made me feel like I actually mattered. Like he cared about me enough to make sure I was comfortable. The way he cradled my injury throughout the night, and with what he did when I was afraid of the loud wind.

I cautiously lift my feet from his lap, and attempt to shift my body without disturbing him. It's complicated with how we fell asleep, so my foot inevitably brushes against his knee. His eyes open slowly while he stretches one arm over his head.

"Is it morning already?" he asks through a yawn.

"Yeah, it came quick. I'm not sure what time we dozed off," I say quietly.

"It was around one in the morning. I checked while I searched for a blanket for you," he says with a husky voice.

"That's sweet. You didn't have to do that and hold my foot all night." I chuckle. "How about some tea to make up for it?

"That would make up for the tea you held hostage." He winks.

"Alright, wise guy. Let's first see how the party went last night," I say while extending my hand to help him sit up.

We shuffle our feet toward the basement door with reluctance. It was really nice when it was just the two of us. I actually felt more comfortable alone with him than I did when all our friends were around. Like I could say anything and he would be happy to listen.

While my fingers grip the light switch, I say a silent prayer, hoping the power has been restored since last night. When I flip the switch, the hallway illuminates immediately.

"Looks like the power's back on," he says with a smile.

"Let's see what kind of trouble they got into last night in the dark," I joke.

We slowly descend the stairs, scared of what we might find. Entering the den, we see a slew of empty beer bottles, bags of chips, and our friends sleeping in various places. Ana is passed out on one of the loveseats, curled up with her Mexican flag blanket draped over her. Casey occupies another from across her. And James is—for some reason—in a ball under the pool table.

"Is that normal for him?" I whisper, pointing at James while trying not to laugh.

"Only when he drinks." Jax chuckles before walking over and softly kicks James's foot to wake him. "Get up bud," he says with a hushed tone.

I look around the room in search of Gareth or Nora to see neither one of them. I assume Nora went back upstairs to sleep, which means she definitely saw the way Jax and I were sleeping. I can't wait to hear about that later.

"Do you want to check on Gareth?" I ask Jax, pointing to the only bedroom with the door closed.

He nods and walks toward it, knocking on it lightly before slowly opening the door.

"Hey, uh, Allie? Would you come here for a moment?" Jax asks with a goofy grin while he scratches the stubble on his chin.

I walk to him quietly, assuming he wants to show me that Gareth is sucking his thumb, or sleeping in an awkward position. Well, that's what I was hoping we'd find.

I peer my head inside the small room and cup my hand over my mouth. "Nora!" I shriek.

She startles awake, sitting straight up in the bed with only a sheet covering her bare chest. A blush creeps up her neck and onto her cheeks when she sees Jax and I standing in the doorway.

"Oh my God," she says with humiliation. She glances to the side at Gareth, who is lying beside her—also with a bare torso.

Gareth stretches his legs out with a low grunt. "Don't look at me like that. I was just following your lead," he says with a coy smile.

Nora glares at him with her eyes narrowed before swatting his arm, silently urging him to keep quiet.

"Nora, it's okay," I laugh. "I'm just... shocked more than anything."

Jax takes my elbow gently, urging me out of the room. "Come on, love. Nobody needs to see that," he chuckles.

Did he just call me "love"? Nope. Getting that thought immediately out of my head. It's probably just a popular term of endearment where they're from. It doesn't mean anything.

When we return upstairs, I head straight for the kitchen to start preparing breakfast. Seeing as how there were numerous empty bottles of alcohol, I assume everyone's pretty hung over. I reach into the cabinet and pull out a large mixing bowl and place it on the coffee table before heading toward the refrigerator.

"Would you like some help?" Jax asks while leaning against the doorframe.

My voice catches in my throat, watching him lean with his shoulder so casually. As if he doesn't know it's already driving me insane. The fact he can look that good after sleeping on a couch is just disrespectful when I'm standing here looking like a shrew. All that's missing is him doing the door lean I constantly read in my novels. Then I really would be a puddle on the floor.

"That'd be great." I smile shyly and look away as quickly as I can. To keep myself busy—and keep my eyes off of him—I grab a cutting board and start slicing strawberries.

The two of us work effortlessly together. Like this is a normal occurrence to happen in a lifetime. As if it's completely normal to be standing in a beautiful kitchen with the gorgeous guy from your favorite band while the two of you make breakfast. Totally normal.

The smell of scrambled eggs and bacon hits my nostrils when my stomach grumbles loudly. With my curiosity peaked at what he's cooking, I turn around and head toward the stove. My nose crinkles when I see a... mess.

"I know it might look strange, but it helps with hangovers. All the grease from the bacon gets absorbed in the egg mixture," he chuckles.

He offers me a bowl filled to the brim while the steam rises between us. It does smell incredible, it just looks odd.

"Try it before you knock it. Do I have to remind you about the tea?" he says with a smirk.

I click my tongue, knowing damn well he's right and I need to stop being so picky. I accept the bowl and thank him quietly.

"I'm going to tell everyone it's ready. Thank you for the help," I say with a smile.

"No worries," he smiles while his eyes crinkle at the corners. Something I've noticed happens when he wants to portray sincerity.

After placing my bowl on the kitchen table, I walk past Jax and make a mental note of the fact he is filling the dishwasher. He helped cook breakfast, and now he is helping by cleaning up. This man needs to show me at least one flaw, because I'm seriously starting to doubt he has any. Which is ungodly annoying.

I lean into the doorway of the basement and flick the lights on to hear a few grunts. "Hangover cures are upstairs," I announce.

Spinning from the doorway, I skip to the bathroom to grab my emergency bottle of aspirin—literally skipping like a schoolgirl. I feel like I'm floating on cloud nine. I haven't felt this happy in...years. I finally have the time to be myself, and think for myself rather than someone else. Although, I shouldn't let myself feel this happy since it's going to come to an end in a few short weeks.

I return to the table and pass out the aspirin to everyone as if they're daily vitamins. Casey's eyes are so bloodshot I wish I had eye drops on me as well. The poor guy looks absolutely miserable.

He looks up when I place the pills in his hand and immediately palms them into his mouth.

"Thank you," he says quietly. He's more than likely going to need more than the two I gave him, but it'll do for now.

I give him a sympathetic look and pat him on the shoulder. "You're welcome. You'll feel better once you eat something," I reply and take my seat beside him.

After breakfast is done and everyone seems more alert, the guys begin removing the boards from the windows while Ana, Nora and I carefully collect any debris in the yard. The house thankfully sustained minimal damage, except for the single gutter that appears to be peeling away due to the high winds. I quickly snap a picture of the damage and send it to the homeowners in case they need it for their insurance.

"Man, we got lucky," Ana says while staring at the house beside ours.

Their entire gutter came off along with a broken window from their shutter slamming against it. The garbage that was strewn across our lawn from the neighbor's trash cans flying around was a nightmare, but as a homeowner, I'd rather deal with a few pieces of trash than actual damage.

As soon as we're finished and back inside, we find the guys huddled on the couch, fully engrossed in a football game. When the door closes behind us, Jax steals a glance at us and gives me a smile, making my heart falter in beats. I smile to myself when I feel the blush already creeping up my neck.

"I'll be right back. I'm going to call the girls real quick," I say and hurriedly climb the stairs.

I feel horrible that I wasn't able to call them yesterday. Even though it wasn't my fault, the guilt gnaws at me in the worst way. I've made sure to call at least once a day since I've been gone, I just hope this doesn't have to happen again.

"Hi my babies!" I shriek when Charlotte and Lydia's faces light up my screen.

"Mommy!" they exclaim in unison. Their bright smiles causing my heart to clench as tears prickle my eyes already.

"I miss you guys so much! Are you having fun with Daddy?" I ask while wiping under my eyes.

"Yeah! We went for ice cream today and we went to see lions!" Charlotte shrieks excitedly.

"The sea lions, Lot," Trevor chuckles in the background.

"Oh, that sounds like so much fun!"

The girls' faces disappear from my screen when Trevor takes the phone from them. His sunburnt face takes up the screen and I instantly feel annoyed. I barely get to talk to them when I call because he takes over every single time. "They've been having a great time, and they're excited to see you when you get back."

"That's great," I sniffle. Feeling more tears begging to erupt.

It wasn't supposed to be like this.

"Oh, Allie. Please don't cry. They're doing great. Just remember, it's harder on you than it is for them," he tries to reassure. Although, his attempt at sounding empathetic still stings like a bitch.

"I know, I know. I'm okay, it's just hard to get used to. Tell the girls I love them, and I'll call them before bed," I say before I end the call. I don't need him to see me completely breaking down. With how many times he's tried to rekindle the fire, I don't need to give him anymore gasoline for that.

I carefully set my phone on the end table and lower myself to the floor beside the bed. I slowly bring my knees to my chest, and take a deep breath before laying my head in between my knees.

Maybe I should have just dealt with it. I mean, was it really all worth it in the end? I can't even spend my every day life with my girls anymore like a mother is supposed to. I've failed them all because I didn't feel loved by my partner. How sad is that?

My mind is in turmoil, and I can't hold it in anymore. Hot tears stream down my cheeks as the aching pain in my chest amplifies from trying to hold it in. The burning feeling from holding my breath too long quickly becomes unbearable. The guilt I feel about not having my daughters with me on vacation, and not seeing them for the next few weeks is obliterating my conscience.

My breaths become more rigid, more fragile when I suddenly hear a gentle knock sound from the door.

"I'll be down in a sec," I rasped through a tight throat.

The door creaks open when Jax slips through the door and carefully closes the door behind him. The door barely makes a sound when he turns around slowly to face me.

"Is this okay? Me being here," he asks with genuine concern shining in his eyes.

I nod slowly, unable to say anymore as my head pounds from the built up pressure.

He slowly crosses the room and sits beside me on the floor, leaving plenty of distance between us. We sit quietly like this for a few moments while I try to gather myself—and fail miserably. I inhale a trembling breath and wipe my eyes with my shirt's sleeve. The fear of coming across as being attractive has gone completely out the window.

He turns his head toward me and looks at me with understanding. Not saying a single word, he just sits there patiently before laying his hand on my back, and rubs soothing circles.

"I just miss them," I say with a single breath. My eyes are stuck on the floor, struggling to force myself to look at him. Feeling too intimidated to look up in fear of seeing his expression change. I'm sure he doesn't want to hear all about my single mom problems. But when I do finally look up, his expression hasn't changed one bit. He still wears the genuine look, his eyes mirroring the concern. That's when you know it's real—when it matches their eyes.

"Of course you do. You're their mum. I think I'd be more concerned if you didn't miss them. This just goes to show what a great parent you are to your girls. They're lucky to have you," he says with a kind smile.

Hearing him say these things brings on another bout of tears. My chest tightens as if someone's using it as a stress ball and refuses to let go. Jax quickly turns over and wraps his arms around me while the sobs come in desperate waves. Pulling me closer to his chest, he squeezes his arms a little tighter as if he knows I need pressure for gravity to pull me back down from this.

"I'm just so scared they think their mom just up and left. That I forgot about them. I don't want them to think I abandoned them," I say against his chest. His shirt is damp against my cheek already and I can't even bring myself to care I might have ruined it. All I care about right now is that my girls know I love them more than anything in this world.

He rocks me back and forth slowly while patting my hair down as I sit there and tremble beneath him. "I've never had the pleasure of meeting your daughters, Allie, but I have met you. From the warmth and love that radiates from you as you talk about them, it's clear how much they mean to you. I'm sure they can feel it too. You're an incredible mum, dividing your time with their father in a fair and balanced way. They're going to appreciate and thank you for that when they're older. You made it possible for them to still feel the love of two parents," he reassures me before placing a soft, delicate kiss on top of my head.

He sits with me patiently while I gain control over my breathing, and my sobs stop entirely. He doesn't even stop cradling me for a second when I know this position must be uncomfortable for him.

I peel my head off his chest to look at him. The storm that usually takes over his eyes seems to have subsided as they shine back at me. "Thank you," I say quietly before laying my head back down.

I don't think he will ever truly understand how much his words mean to me. The way he was so selfless to hold me like this, and let me feel everything and let it out, is seriously commendable. Especially for someone who couldn't possibly know what this feels like with not being a parent, but maybe he's felt it in another sense. Maybe that's part of the pain he seems to be holding back. But that unfortunately isn't my business to ask about.